204 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
its way through a rain-shower to "Elm Hall," in George Lane, where the
fine central hall, with its wall-panelling and open staircase with spiral
balusters, were much admired. "Elm Hall," until within the last few
years, was a fine example of an early Georgian building, but has been
lately converted into flats and some of its distinctive features sold and
dispersed. For instance, the wrought iron gateway which enclosed the
forecourt has disappeared, and one of the "Adam" mantel-pieces has
been transferred to a residence at Loughton.
Proceeding next door to "Reydon Hall," at present uninhabited
and about to be converted into flats, some time was spent in a thorough
investigation of this rambling old house, which, however, is inferior in
interest to its neighbour. A stone mounting block, believed to be the
only one still existing in Wanstead, stands in the forecourt and speaks of
a day long before motor vehicles had begun to imperil the lives of users
of our country roads.
"Elm Hall," so called from two fine elms which stood opposite to the
house, was built, probably, by Daniel Waldo in or about 1723, in which
year he came to Wanstead. A later owner and resident was Thomas
Hodgson, of Carlisle, Cumberland, for whom there is a mural monument
in the church, while in 1863 it was bought by Francis Walker, entomologist,
in whose family it remained until the last Miss Walker died, when the house
was converted into flats.
"Reydon Hall" was the old home of the Wigram family, and in more
recent days the residence of Capt. Standidge.
The parish church of St. Mary was then visited and here our conductor,
Mr. C. Hall Crouch, kindly presented to each visitor a souvenir in the
form of two views of the earlier church, which was demolished in 1790,
one of these being after a water-colour sketch made by J. M. W. Turner,
R.A., when a youth of 13, in 1788, a copy of which hangs in the vestry.
To the party assembled in the nave, Mr. Crouch read an account of
the church, its history and its monuments, and a general inspection of
the building followed.
In the vestry the church plate and the registers were shown to the
visitors.
The entire party, lighted by electric torches and candles, descended
into the crypt which underlies the whole area of the church, and had
the gruesome satisfaction of inspecting the various family vaults, with
their contained coffins of bygone local worthies.
The vaults bear the following inscriptions :—
On the north side, commencing from the entrance and proceeding
from W. to E. :
1. " The Family Vault of j Arthur Willis Esqre | 1827."
2. " The Family Vault of | John Saunders Esqr | 1826."
3. " Peter Kennion Esqre | his Vault | 1817."
4. " Joshua Knowles Esqr | his Vault | 1816."
5. " Thomas Hodgson Esqr Vault | February 3rd 1807."
[on the left :] "Charles | Samuel | Hodgson, died | August 1st
1808 | Aged 6 Months."
[on the right : ] "Susannah | Steilen | died Decr 30th | 1819 |
Aged 48 Years."